💻 Sao Paulo for digital nomads: a complete guide
Sao Paulo is located in the southeast of Brazil and is the capital of the state of the same name. This city is considered the center of all Latin America.
This is a gigantic metropolis – the population is almost 12 million inhabitants, and the population with an agglomeration of 24 million. Sao Paulo is a human anthill. Businessmen are rushing about their business, noisy nightlife is in full swing, colorful locals are selling nuts and grilled meat on every corner.
Here no one will judge you for your bright appearance, or for wanting to sing or dance right on the street, because Sao Paulo is a city of celebration. But what does it offer digital nomads who decide to join the festival of life?
Safety
Probably the most important issue that worries everyone when it comes to Brazil is security. Sao Paulo is among the top 10 most dangerous cities in the country. The city ranks 8th, while the famous Rio de Janeiro is in second place.
The level of danger varies greatly from area to area. The poor and criminals mostly live in favelas, slums whose red roofs can be seen from afar. And wealthier residents choose to live in condominiums. The historical center of the city is also considered unsafe, where people can easily get robbed.
In Brazil, no matter the city, you always need to be on your guard. Foreigners should not wear jewelry, carry large sums of money, or take out their phone on the street. Your equipment could simply be snatched by a passing cyclist. At the same time, you can often see policemen in cars or motorcycles on the streets, keeping order in the city. Sometimes you can even witness a real chase.
Legalization
It is advisable to book a return ticket or a ticket to the next country in advance, for example to Argentina. Then simply cancel your reservation. If you don’t do this, you may simply not be put on a plane to Brazil.
It is currently possible to obtain a digital nomad visa. All necessary information, documents and stages of submission can be found on the website of the Government of Brazil.
You also need to immediately take care of the CPF – taxpayer number. You can get it in a matter of minutes at the tax office by providing your passport. Without CPF in Brazil you are without hands. This is asked every time you make a purchase. Without this number, you won’t even be able to connect to mobile communications.
Public transport
Public transport in Sao Paulo is very comfortable, even equipped with air conditioning. And bus drivers are sometimes so reckless on the roads that they drive to the right place in a matter of minutes.
Bus and metro fares are about $1. Transport runs quite often, but you need to keep an eye on your personal belongings, especially during rush hour.
Many Paulistas, as residents of the state of Sao Paulo are called, prefer to travel by Uber. It's quite fast, comfortable and, most importantly, safe! Sometimes in the Uber app there is even an option to choose a motorcycle taxi.
When it comes to a personal car, there are a number of factors to consider. In Sao Paulo, on November 13, 2013, a record was set: the largest traffic jam by length – 309 kilometers. I think that says a lot. There is only a short period of time when the city's roads can be called empty, but this happens very rarely.
When purchasing a car, you should also take into account the costs of paid parking in all shopping centers, since leaving the car in a non-guarded parking lot is unsafe. And a pleasant fact: here the police almost never stop cars to check documents.
Housing
As I mentioned earlier, many Paulistas live in condominiums, where in addition to your apartment, various goodies may be included. Their number depends on the specific condominium. For example, ours has two swimming pools, a gym, a spa, an office, a party room, a grill area, underground parking and a self-service store.
Also an integral feature of Brazilian condominiums is the presence of security. The prices of condominiums also differ. When searching for apartments on websites, you will see the cost of the apartment and the cost of condominium services. On average, prices for one-bedroom housing in a prosperous area start at $1,000.
For a short period of time , apartments can be rented on Airnbn b. For a period of 3 months or more, you can explore the site So flats, and for a period of one year – quintoandar.
Internet and communications
Affordable internet is not a problem in Brazil. The most popular mobile operators are TIM, Claro and Vivo. Operators offer a variety of tariffs, but the average is $12-14. Home Internet, depending on the speed, will cost $25-30.
Nutrition
Sao Paulo surprises with its variety of food choices. Here you can find unusual fruits, fresh vegetables all year round, various meats, fish, and seafood.
What about the cost? A kilogram of avocado will cost about $3-4, mango – $2.5, a tray of strawberries – $2, pineapple – $3. Bananas and oranges are the cheapest. Approximate prices for meat and fish: 1 kg of chicken – $6, 1 kg of beef – $16-18, 1 kg of salmon – about $20.
Top 5 restaurants in Sao Paulo:
At the Spot restaurant you can enjoy seafood, meat, and risotto with pasta. I can safely recommend the octopus dish (Port. Polvo grelhado) and Shimeji mushrooms (Port. Cogumelos à Provençal), which Brazilians really like. Finding them won't be difficult.
Bar Espírito Santo is famous for its Porto Gali cuisine. There is a wide selection of different dishes, as well as the relaxed atmosphere that Brazilians love so much. Therefore, the bar is often crowded, but this does not stop people from taking a table “standing”.
In the chain of meat restaurants Fogo de сhão, rodizio is the best choice. Rodizio is the “you can eat all you can eat” method of restaurant service. You pay a fixed price and eat as much variety of meat as you can fit. Drinks are not included in the price.
The Figueira Rubaiyat restaurant chain will surprise you not only with amazing meat and seafood dishes, but also with an interesting approach to the design of the hall. For example, right in one of the restaurants there is a tree that is several hundred years old.
Dasian Restaurante is an Asian restaurant. It is rightfully considered one of the best in the city. Not only sushi is prepared here, but also Peking duck, tender scallop sashimi and other seafood. And the interesting presentation of cocktails will surprise even experienced people.
Preschool and school education
In Brazil, preschool, called preschool, can be attended by children as young as 1 year old. Kindergarten starts at age 4 and lasts until age 6. These institutions can be visited at will.
Children then enter primary school and study there from 7 to 11 years of age. From 11 to 14 years old they attend secondary school. These two stages are mandatory for everyone. High school is provided for students from 14 to 17-18 years of age, upon request.
Both kindergartens and schools are public, which are free, and private, which you have to pay to attend. The cost of a private kindergarten is approximately $560 per month.
Public school classrooms are often overcrowded. Sometimes more than 40 students can study at once. Whereas in a private school there are 10-20 students. There are three shifts in schools: the first from 7:00-12:00, the second from 12:00-17:00, the third from 17:00-22:00. Some provide only the first two shifts.
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The ages of students in the same class in a public school may also vary. Since not all students start attending school on time or remain for the “second year”. Students have vacations twice a year: in July and from mid-December to the end of January. Vacation dates may differ between private and public schools.
In Brazil, you can study in a private school according to the Brazilian program and in an international school according to the British, German, American, and French programs. The cost of studying at an international private school varies from $1000-3000 per month without meals. Homework is practically not assigned in all schools. But, soon, this may change.
Medicine
In Sao Paulo you can be treated in private clinics or in public ones. The advantage of a public clinic is the opportunity to receive services for free, the disadvantage is huge queues. As a rule, you need to make an appointment with a doctor in advance. Also, as in many countries, you can purchase insurance here that will cover the costs of private clinics.
In Brazil, the cost for both a foreigner and a local resident in a private clinic without insurance will be equally high. For example, a general blood test costs $250. Therefore, you should take care of insurance immediately if you plan to visit private medical institutions.
Interesting facts about Sao Paulo:
- Animals. There is a special attitude towards animals in Sao Paulo. Here you can take your pet to all shopping centers and some grocery stores.
- Portuguese. The official language is Portuguese, and, alas, you cannot do without it. Brazilians, even in a large city like Sao Paulo, rarely speak English.
- Sao Paulo is a city of helicopters; every second roof of the city has a helipad.
- Green areas. Sao Paulo is the greenest city I have ever visited. If there are no trees among the high-rise buildings, then they will be grown directly on building x.
- By the way, about trees. When construction of a new house begins, the trees are dug up and taken to another location for the duration of construction. After construction, all greenery is returned to its homeland.
- Sao Paulo is a city without advertising. It is prohibited to place banners and other types of advertising on the streets here, so as not to spoil the appearance of the city.
- In Sao Paulo, 90% of waiters are men over 40. And they simply love their job. By the way, 10% tip is immediately included in the bill.